Hairstylist Stands Up For Equality, Refuses to Cut N.M. Gov.’s Hair

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez's (R) views on same-sex marriage have caused her to lose her hairstylist, New Mexico news station KOB reported.

Antonio Darden said he refuses to cut Martinez's hair because she is against marriage equality. Darden, who runs Antonio's Hair Studio in Santa Fe, says he has cut the governor's hair three times before.

"The governor's aides called not too long ago, wanting another appointment to come in," Darden said. "Because of her stances and her views on this I told her aides 'no'. They called the next day, asking if I'd changed my mind about taking the governor in and I said 'no' again."

"I think it's just equality, dignity for everyone," the popular hair stylist said. "I think everybody should be allowed the right to be together. My partner and I have been together for 15 years."

Despite her views on the issue, Martinez appointed an openly gay man to the state Public Regulation Commission and has received criticism from the religious right for her decision.

New Mexico does not recognize gay marriage nor does it recognize other legal relationships, such as civil unions and domestic partnership. The state does, however, provide benefits to same-sex partners of state employees.

Martinez was elected governor of New Mexico in 2010 and is the country's first female Hispanic governor. She is a conservative Republican and the National Review Online called her a "full service" Republican as she has conservative views on both economic and social issues.

In a similar incident a Tennessee restaurant owner refused to serve the state Sen. Stacey Campfield (R) because of his anti-gay views.

Martha Boggs, the owner of Bistro at the Bijou, kicked Campfield out of her establishment because of his use of homophobic comments.

"When I saw him at the front door, I told him to leave," Boggs said. "It's just my way to show support for the gay community and stand up to somebody I think is a bully. He's really gone from being stupid to dangerous. I think he needs to know what it feels like to be discriminated against."

Campfield appeared on Sirius XM's LGBT station OutQ and said that AIDS began because a gay airline pilot had sex with monkeys.

"He's been here two or three times before," she said. "I just wanted to make my point. He didn't have much to say. He left graciously."

Something unexpected happened on the way to North Carolina’s vote on a gay marriage ban this May: Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue decided not to run for re-election, meaning more voters who oppose the ban could turn out at the polls.